Chapter 7

Max was just getting off the phone, when they were walking back in the villa. Max, couldn't help but smile. He had suspected that something had changed. He could feel it.

"I'll go get the seven of them." Offered Maria. But he stopped her.

"No you won't. I'll have Frau Schmidt retrieve them." Said Georg.

"Did I miss something while I was on the phone?" smiled Max.

Both looked at each other and smiled. Both were rather glad that Max had missed it and was on the phone when the conversation had taken place.

"Should we tell him?" asked Maria.

"Tell me what? You're not leaving for a third time, now are you Fraulein?" asked Max. He knew the family couldn't take a third disappearance.

"No one is going anywhere anytime soon, Max. With the exception of maybe you." Said Georg.

"I'm hurt by that statement. Who else would keep this family entertained so well?" laughed Max.

"You shouldn't be." Said Georg.

"What is it that you're not sure to tell me? Perhaps, I can get it out of our dear Fraulein if not you then." Said Max. It would be the last time any of them would be referring to her as Fraulein. And it was going to take some time getting used to it. At least for some of them.

"I guess he should know. That way he doesn't mistake you for the governess anymore." Said Georg.

"Tell me. It's just little ol' me. Wait a minute, Fraulein Maria IS the governess. What else would I mistake her for?" asked Max.

Once again, the two exchanged glances with each other before answering the question.

"My wife." Answered Georg.

"So this is what all the fuss is about then? No offense, dear Fraulein, you never really 'just the governess' to this family." Smiled Max.

Technically, he had a point. She never really was viewed as just the governess. At least not from his point of view, especially the children. Maybe this was a good thing. She was the mother figure that Elsa could never have been to his children. There wasn't anyone else that could fit the description more perfectly.

Frau Schmidt soon returned with the children. All seven of them with looks of confusion on their faces. They had been outside, enjoying the warm weather when the housekeeper came out, asking them to come inside.

"Is something wrong, father?" asked Kurt. Max just smiled and chuckled to himself.

"Something rather amusing, Max?" asked Georg.

"Nothing yet, Georg." Smiled Max.

"To answer your question, Kurt. No nothing is wrong." Answered Georg.

"Then why did Frau Schmidt ask us to come in? It's such nice weather out." Said Brigitta.

"There's something I have to say and it requires all seven of your presence." Said Georg.

He highly doubted that not a single one them would object to having Maria as their mother. Let alone a permanent member of the family. They were always concerned with when it came time for her to leave them and return to the abbey. This way, she wouldn't be leaving them anytime soon. She meant too much to the seven of them, let alone him.

He hadn't felt that way in such a long time. Not since Agathe's sudden death. When his wife died suddenly, he was determine to shut anything that reminded him of her. Liesle's personality, Kurt's outspokenness, Brigitta's determination. Or even the music that would fill the villa on a nightly basis.

But from the moment that Maria had stepped one foot inside the house, things had changed and for the better. No more whistles, No more marches, No more feeling like on a battleship. She brought smiles, laughter, happiness and music back into the villa let alone their lives. And for that, they would always be eternally greatful.

"Where's Baroness Schrader?" asked Louisa. Not that the seven of them really cared where the Baroness was. Truth be told, they really didn't feel all that comfortable around the woman but for their father, they made the best of it.

"How would you feel about having a new mother?" asked Georg, with a grin on his face. Just the thought of her being that type of mother who loved playing, singing, riding boats, picnics and tucking them in bed each night, sealed the engagement.

"Baroness Schrader?" said a slightly disappointed Marta.

The smile on Max's face just got wider. He knew the minute, they were told who their new mother was to be, then there was to be excitement threw out the villa.

"No, Baroness Schrader felt she needed to return to Vienna late last night." Said Georg.

"If Baroness Schrader has returned to Vienna, then I don't quite understand." Said Brigitta.

"Then who is going to be our new mother, father?" asked Marta.

"I'm afraid that would be me." Smiled Maria. At there mere sound of hearing her voice, all seven heads turned in her direction.

"Really?" shouted Gretl.

"Really. Would you be okay with that?" asked Georg.

All seven soon quickly ran to their former governess, nearly knocking her down in the process.

"I take that as a yes then." Smiled Maria.

"YES!" shouted all seven children. Once again, nearly knocking her over.

"Like I said, Fraulein, you never really were just the governess. " smiled Max.

"Max. When did we establish that you were a part of this family." Said Georg.

"Did we need to establish that little, tiny, piece of information." Smiled Max.

"We do if you plan on sticking around more frequent." Smiled Georg.

"I want to swimming!" yelled Kurt.

"No. We did that yesterday. I want to ride bikes!" exclaimed Marta.

"No. I want to go on a picnic, climb trees and ride the train again!" smiled Louisa. The raised voices and yelling didn't die down until each child's voice had made their voice known and heard threw out the villa.

"Why not do all of them?" smiled Max.

"Be careful of what you say, Max." smiled Maria.

"What harm would it do, my dear?" smiled Max.

Maria just laughed. She knew what would happened if they were to do all the things they had just mentioned. Although, by dinner, they would be nearly worn out. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea.

"What's so amusing, Fraulein?" smiled Georg, sliding his arms around her waist.

"Nothing, Captain. I was just thinking that the seven of them would be entirely worn out by dinner, if they were to do all they wish to do." Smiled Maria.

"Leaving…" started Georg.

"Leaving just you and me in each others company." Grinned Maria. So Max would still be around, but it wouldn't take much to 'lose' him.

"Now that I would enjoy, my dear." Smiled Georg.

"So can we do all of it?" whined Louisa.

"Louisa, you're not ten. There is no need to whine like a two year old." Said Georg.

"I'm sorry." Apologized Louisa.

"Are we going to ride the train again?" asked Fredrich.

"I want to play ball on the mountain." Said Kurt.

"I want to go on a boat ride." Smiled Gretl.

"Well, maybe then we should get started if we're going to do all of it before dinner." Smiled Maria.

"What about Uncle Max? Isn't he coming with us? PLEASE!" laughed Brigitta.

"You don't want dear ol' me spoilong all your fun." Started Max.

"Yes we do. Please come with us, Uncle Max. Please." Said Marta.

"Oh alright, my dear. I will go with you." Smiled MAX.